Thursday, November 28th, was the annual Red Bag Food Drive in the Drumheller Valley.
A number of volunteers traversed the Drumheller Valley picking up “red bags” on the front porches of homes. These bags were filled with non-perishable food items. According to Amanda Courtenay, Community Services and Anti-Violence Coordinator for Salvation Army, it looks like the food drive did well again. “I think we did about the same as last year and we had a great volunteer crew with some students and hockey teams, as well.”
The volunteer work continued on Friday to sort the food items received and Courtenay got some help from a local school for that task. “I had the St. Anthony’s (School) Cooking Class with Mrs. Eddy on Friday. I had the Junior High first and then I had the Senior High.”
Mrs. Eddy’s Senior High Foods class from St. Anthony’s School were on hand on Friday to help sort through the food brought in through the food drive.
Without this large food drive, the shelves would be bare for Christmas at the Salvation Army Food Bank. Courtenay admits that they have been seeing more people needing to use the food bank. Although they did get a good amount of food, there are some items that they are still hoping for. “The fruit cups are one thing we didn’t get a lot of this year, same as soda crackers. Cereal, oatmeal, and pancake mix are always needed.”
Much of this food donated will be used for the Christmas Hamper program and Courtenay is optimistic they will have enough. “With everybody in town that is graciously donating, I believe we are going to make it.”
The deadline for hamper application was this past Friday but if you had an appointment and were not able to get to the Salvation Army, they may be able to squeeze you in, just reach out. The kettles continue at numerous businesses in the Drumheller Valley and they do have a couple of events that will aid in the Christmas Hamper program. Toy donations are being accepted at Westergard Motors until Monday, December 9th, and the annual Teddy Bear Toss game with the Drumheller Dragons is coming up on Saturday night at the Memorial Arena at 7 PM.
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